This one changed the way we think of bourbon, all because one man changed the way he thought about making it. Bill Samuels, Sr., simply wanted a whisky he would enjoy drinking. Never bitter or sharp, Maker's Mark is made with soft red winter wheat, instead of the usual rye, for a one-of-a-kind, full-flavored bourbon that's easy to drink.
To ensure consistency, we rotate every barrel by hand and age our bourbon to taste, not time. Each and every bottle of Maker's is still hand-dipped in our signature red wax at our distillery in Loretto, Ky., just like Bill, Sr., would have wanted. Woody oak, caramel, vanilla and wheat prevail in the nose.
Taste is sweet and balanced with caramel, vanilla and fruity essences. Maker's Mark is a premium brand of bourbon whiskey produced in Loretto, Kentucky. It is distilled from corn, malted barley, and red winter wheat, then aged in charred oak barrels for five to eight years. Instantly recognizable, when you see red wax dripping down the long neck of a whiskey bottle, you know that it's Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky.
Makers Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky- This one changed the way we think of bourbon, all because one man changed the way he thought about making it. Bill Samuels, simply wanted a whiskey he would enjoy drinking. Each and every bottle of Maker's is still hand-dipped in our signature red wax at our distillery in Loretto, Kentucky just like Bill would have wanted. As required for all bourbon, the then-clear whiskey is placed in new charred oak barrels. These are rotated in the rackhouse throughout the aging process and are tasted regularly.
In the barrel, the whiskey draws flavor from the wood and develops its golden-amber color. Instead, the distillery prides itself on pulling the spirit "when it's done." Once ready, the bourbon is blended with the same limestone-filtered water to bottling strength. Like all bourbons, it is distilled primarily from corn, with some malted barley thrown into the mix. Adding red winter wheat to the mashbill is the twist that defines this bourbon. That single ingredient imparts a soft, rich sweetness that propelled Maker's Mark to be one of the most popular bourbons in the world.
In 1953, in Loretto, Kentucky, Bill Samuels, Sr., fulfilled his dream to create a handmade and delicious bourbon. He decided to make his whisky in small batches, using soft red winter wheat to enhance the softness and sweetness. He then rotated each barrel by hand for consistency, and finally, aged each barrel to taste. Bill Samuels, Sr., transformed bourbon from a "commodity" into a premium handmade spirit, and today Maker's Mark® continues to make its bourbon the same way. In recent years, Maker's Mark has introduced thoughtful, super premium innovations to its portfolio including Maker's Mark 46®, Maker's Mark® Cask Strength, and Maker's Mark® Private Selection, the brand's first-ever custom barrel program.
In 1980, the Maker's Mark distillery became the first distillery in America to be designated a National Historic Landmark and has also been decreed as the "world's oldest operating bourbon whiskey distillery" by Guinness World Records. It remains one of the Commonwealth of Kentucky's most popular tourist destinations, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The upcoming September mail-out will feature both of the brand's 2021 Wood Finishing Series limited releases – FAE-01 and FAE-02.
While FAE-01 debuted earlier this year, FAE-02 has not yet been released to store shelves giving The Whisky Drop members a first taste of the distillery's latest limited release. Maker's Mark Bourbon is distinct not only for its unique flavour but its iconic bottle that is hand-dipped and sealed in red wax. Smooth and subtle, Maker's Mark is bourbon with a distinguished history. Created by Bill Samuels Sr, it took six years of trial and error to perfect the recipe - a corn, barley and wheat combination, that makes this whisky so special. The result is a lighter tasting, premium bourbon whisky with caramel and vanilla notes that's perfect for mixing and delicious over ice.
Maker's Mark is the only bourbon distillery producing just one Brand of Bourbon. The original 'premium' bourbon, Maker's Mark has been lovingly built by three generations of the Samuels family. However, the family's distilling roots stretch back eleven generations. At the time of its launch, Maker's Mark was sold at a premium price to other bourbons then on the market.
Initially, as an extended age statement did not justify its price position, it was a difficult sale. It might not flaunt it, but Maker's Mark is aged for around a year longer than the four year minimum and it is no overstatement to say that Bill Samuels Senior established the premium bourbon category. Maker's Mark is one of the few American whiskeys to be spelled, 'whisky' without an 'e'.
Apparently the official American spelling is 'whisky' but the historic American spelling of 'whiskey' is tolerated and practically all other American distillers spell theirs with the "e". Marker's Mark spelling without the 'e' celebrates the Samuels family's Scottish heritage. With his retirement looming in the early 2000's now it was Bill Samuels JUNIOR's time to leave his mark on his father's company, which he had been running since 1975. And eventually, they realized they could achieve this by charring French Oak staves and simply leaving them in a barrel of finished Maker's Mark for additional aging. The final result is a higher proof but easier drinking whiskey, with slight hints of cinnamon and vanilla that aren't present in the original Maker's Mark. Before cask filling using spring water, which has been demineralised by reverse osmosis.
And it is believed that the 55% used by Maker's Mark is the lowest barrel proof of any bourbon. This obviously means more barrels and rickhouses are required so is more costly but the Samuels believe a lower maturation strength gives better extraction of the sweet, flavoursome vanillin in the oak. Maker's Mark has actually made a special "high proof" version of their signature Straight Bourbon. But that tasty power-dram is usually just available at the distillery. A few years ago they started doing an annual holiday release of this high-test Spirit, and it's coming around again this year. Maker's Mark 101 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the same Maker's Mark we all love with the same wheated mash bill — 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% malted barley.
And it is aged "around six years" — famously being bottled when ready. The difference is that Maker's Mark 101 is delivered at 101 proof (50.5% ABV). Knob Creek is considerably bolder than Maker's Mark, in part, because it is bottled at a stronger 50 percent alcohol by volume . The barrels Knob Creek is aged in also have a deeper char, which imparts a darker oak flavor. At 45 percent ABV , Maker's Mark does have a kick, though this bourbon is sweeter.
Both whiskeys are excellent straight or in cocktails, and stocking the two bottles in a bar offers a full spectrum of bourbon options. Redbreast Pedro Ximénez Edition was finished for 12–22 months in hogsheads seasoned with PX sherry for 2 years. The family-run Antonio Páez Lobato cooperage developed these Spanish oak hogsheads, which are a less traditional cask size than a sherry butt, and were chosen for their ability to intensify the flavor through their increased surface area. We use only charred white oak barrels to hold our whisky as it ages. Now, we may lose a bit of whisky due to evaporation and absorption during this process, but, rest assured, it's worth it. Due to the charring of the oak, the natural sugars of the wood are released into the bourbon, enhancing the already wonderfully mellow taste of Maker's Mark.
The next Whisky Dropbox – shipping early September to members of the program only – will feature both of the brand's 2021 Wood Finishing Series limited releases – FAE-01 and FAE-02. A sealed bottle of Maker's Mark Kentucky straight bourbon whisky.A sealed bottle of Maker's Mark Kentucky straight bourbon whisky. This is the second limited edition stave finish released by Maker's Mark this year following FAE-01 this spring. Maker's Mark doesn't chill filter its whiskeys, which results in the presence of fatty acid esters .
FAE-02 was produced with double heat-treated virgin French oak barrel staves that underwent an infrared exposure prior to a flame toast finish. The process is aimed at yielding a more full bodied whiskey. The whiskey begins as usual Maker's Mark – wheated bourbon made in 1,000 gallon batches, aged a good six-ish years. Then the barrels are emptied of whiskey and the brand drops 10 oak staves – the planks that make up barrels – into the barrels and dumps the whiskey back in. The staves, co-developed by the wood wizards at Independent Stave Company, are either virgin toasted American Oak or virgin French Oak. The barrels are stored in Maker's Mark's limestone cellar for additional aging, where the cask strength bourbon interacts with the wood staves to develop the expression's unique taste profile.
Made from the same mash bill used in their signature expression, Maker's Mark 46 Bourbon Whiskey consists of 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% malted barleyand serves as a continuation of their efforts to create the ultimate bourbon. Memphis-based brand Blue Note adds this whiskey to its range. It was made from a mash of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley, and finished with a proprietary blend of two types of toasted French oak. The name pays homage to blues history, specifically where Highway 61 and Highway 49 meet in Mississippi. Known as the "Devil's Crossroads," this is the alleged place where Robert Johnson birthed the blues.
By combining American and French oak, Blue Note sees this whiskey as a crossroads of sorts as well. The new 15 year old blends a high percentage of whisky matured in first-fill sherry-seasoned European oak with sherry-seasoned American oak barrels and a little bit of whisky matured in Highland Park refill barrels. The whisky comes in an embossed ceramic bottle inspired by the earthenware jars that the distillery would have used to store the whisky centuries ago. Viking Heart is a permanent addition to Highland Park's family of Orkney whiskies.
Maker's Mark introduced the Stave Finishing series in 2019, exploring the flavor possibilities with stave options that can be combined a number of different ways. Both the 2019 release and the 2020 release were rated 93 points by our tasting panel, as Jane Bowie, director of innovation at Maker's Mark, has crafted different expressions that are consistent in quality. We spoke to Janeon our Instagram Live show #TasteWithSpace last August, about creating these limited edition whiskeys and the distillery's stave finishing program. Maker's Mark's unique mash bill of 70% corn, 16% soft red winter wheat and 14% malted barley, the result of John Samuels baking experiment, is crucial to Maker's Mark bourbon's character. Corn has high starch content but doesn't add much flavour.
The winter wheat, which incidentally smells like a pampered baby when freshly ground, gives sweetness and flavour while the barley adds bolder characteristics and aids the fermentation process. Maker's Mark Bourbon Whisky is produced, aged, and bottled at the Loretto, Kentucky distillery. They even print the old-fashioned labels and hand-dip each bottle in red wax on-site. It is one of the most picturesque industrial sites you will find, which is why it's a popular stop for travelers. When looking for alternatives, it's usually best to start with the distillers base product. One not so nationally recognized whiskey at around the same price as Maker's Mark is Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey.
Both Bernheim and Maker's are 45% ABV, and Bernheim is aged 7 years, to Maker's Mark's 6 years. If you are looking to go more towards the economical side then Larceny Bourbon from Heaven Hill is the way to go, with a 20% wheat mash bill (compared to Maker's Mark's 16%) and at around $25 for a 750ml bottle. They offer 5 different types of staves to use making over 1,001 possible combinations, leaving every single batch unique to its creator.
Blue Note last released a 17 year old single barrel bourbon this summer, and that whisky will be reviewed in the upcoming Fall issue of Whisky Advocate. Crossroads comes in a decidedly lower price point, and joins a range that also includes Juke Joint and a 9 year old straight bourbon . Viking Heart marks the return of a 15 year old whisky from Highland Park for the first time since mid-2016 when the distillery dropped the old bottling due to supply constraints. While the previous 15 year old was meant as a limited release that proved tremendously popular and stuck around until the distillery ran out, the new Viking Heart has a permanent place in Highland Park's lineup.
This summer, Highland Park 12 year old Viking Honour was picked as one of Whisky Advocate's Editors' Choice selections after scoring 92 points. With a foundation of red winter wheat rather than traditional rye, we ensure that Maker's Mark will be full on the palate, yet lack the hot coarseness of rye-based whiskies. This, along with naturally malted barley, and yellow corn, results in a distinctively full, yet mellow taste that hasn't changed in over half a century.
The original "Burk's Distillery" was built in 1885 just outside of Loretto,Kentucky.T. William "Bill" Samuels bought the operation in 1953 for $35,000. Samuels wanted to make quality, so he used the sales of the existing stockpiles to finance a revamp.
Currently owned by Beam-Suntory, members of the Samuels family still work at the company. The inviting aroma of this bourbon is marked by soft caramel and vanilla accented with wheat and oak. On the palate, the balance of tongue-caressing sweetness, vanilla, caramel, and wood creates a medium-bodied whiskey. The finish is exceptionally smooth, with subtle spice notes that dissipate quickly. Over the weekend it was announced that there would be a 6.7% reduction in the amount of alcohol by volume in each bottle, dropping the 90 proof to 84. The company's spokesman Rob Samuels (the C.O.O. and Ambassador-in-Chief) wrote a letter to drinkers assuring them that the change would not alter the flavor.
"We have both tasted it extensively, and it's completely consistent with the taste profile our founder/dad/grandfather, Bill Samuels, Sr., created nearly 60 years ago," he wrote in an email. He goes on to say that he is receiving far less negative feedback for the alcohol reduction than the scarcity, which will hopefully be alleviated by this measure. Maker's Mark had never offered anything besides their standard flagship bourbon for decades.
While other distilleries began experimenting and releasing longer aged versions, different formulas, rye whiskies, barrel strength, and single barrel series, Maker's Mark stood by their fine-tuned whiskey-making process and recipe. It wasn't until 2010 that Maker's Mark released their first-ever variant with Maker's 46. The unique bourbon taste of Maker's Mark can actually be attributed to Limestone-purified spring water — every drop of our water comes from a spring-fed lake right at the distillery. The natural limestone in the water filters out iron, which is good for buildings but can quickly ruin the taste of whisky.
For the first time since Bill Samuels Sr. introduced Maker's Mark Bourbon more than 50 years ago, the whisky is being changed. Supply shortages have forced Maker's to lower the alcohol by volume level from 45% to 42%, which lowers the proof from 90 Proof to 84 Proof. In an interview with WhiskyCast's Mark Gillespie, Maker's Mark Chief Operating Officer Rob Samuels explains the reasons behind the move, and why he claims it won't affect the taste of the whisky. Kentucky bourbon distillers move their barrels around throughout the year because warehouses vary in temperature and humidity, affecting how that charred oak, oxygen, and spirit interact. Maker's Mark is aged for roughly six years, which makes consistency of aging essential. That's why its barrels spend exactly three summers sizzling in the heat at the top of the warehouse barrel pile before cooling down to age more slowly on the bottom.
Among many other qualifications — 51 percent corn mash bill, aged in charred new oak, venerated by dudes with special beards — bourbon has to be at least 40 percent ABV. "Two centuries ago, Jacob Beam shared his bourbon by floating barrels of it down the river. We're delivering quality whiskey right to your front door. From the best of small batch to the never before bottled, each box brings bourbons worth sitting with.
And worth sharing with friends, family and neighbors," according to their website. Maker's Mark dipped their toes in the direct-to-consumer "booze by mail" waters earlier this year with the launch of "The Whisky Drop" program. Essentially, you sign up and have the option every few months to receive specialty releases mailed to your front door, two bottles per mailing cycle. Former mail-outs have included rarities like the limited-release Private Selection expressions using Roasted French Mocha and rich Mendiant finishing staves.
